Speed Darlington, also known as Darlington Okoye, is a Nigerian rapper and singer residing in the United States. He is renowned for his distinctive style and humorous social media posts. His lyrics can be bold and attention-grabbing. He started his career as a dancer before moving into music.
Speed Darlington Biography
| Real Name | Darlington Okoye |
| Nickname | Speed Darlington |
| Famous As | Rapper, Singer, and Dancer |
| Birthplace | Arondizuogu, Imo State, Nigeria |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Ethnicity | Igbo |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Education | University of Lagos |
| Height | 5’8 |
| Parent | Pericoma Okoye and Queen Theresa Onuorah |
| Siblings | Queeneth Ibe |
| Children | None |
| Relationship | Single |
Early Life And Education
Darlington Okoye, aka Speed Darlington (born on March 13, 1984, 41 years old), is from Arondizuogu, Imo State, Nigeria. He belongs to the Igbo tribe. He grew up in Okigwe, where he learned about Igbo culture. His father, Pericoma Okoye, was a famous Igbo folk musician.
He passed away in 2017. His mother, Queen Theresa Onuorah, is a well-known highlife musician who leads the Egedege Dance group. He has one half-sibling named Queeneth Ibe.
He likely attended primary and secondary school in Imo State and later studied Business Administration at the University of Lagos.
Career
Speed Darlington started his career in the 1990s as a dancer with the Queen Achakpo band. He performed the traditional Igbo Egedege dance. Around 2010, he began his music career and released his first single, “Let’s Dance.”
His big break came in 2017, when he released a hit song called “BangDadaDang!” This song became popular when American rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs shared it.
Diddy said Speed inspired him. The song had fun lyrics and a catchy beat. People played it in clubs and events throughout Nigeria, marking Speed’s entry into the mainstream music scene.
His music mixes Afrobeat, rap, and pop. It often has funny and satirical takes on Nigerian pop culture, life in the diaspora, and his own experiences. His unique, raw style draws inspiration from Igbo culture, making him stand out.
In 2024, his song “Baby Oil” entered the Apple Music Nigeria and Spotify Nigeria charts. It reached No. 53, which was a significant achievement for him.
His career has had its ups and downs in terms of live shows. In 2017, he held his first concert in the U.S., but no one showed up, even after months of advertising.
However, by 2024, he sold out a concert in Imo State, Nigeria, with over 5,000 fans attending.
This shows that his fan base is growing. In 2025, he voiced his frustration with the Nigerian music industry.
He talked about a show that cost 15 million Naira to put on but only made less than 3 million. He believes that the industry is controlled by “Yahoo artists,” a term used to describe those involved in scams. He became popular in 2016. His music videos and social media posts went viral.
He is known for his funny and honest Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok posts. He often calls himself names like “Energy God,” “Scorpion King,” and “Irregular Speedometer.” His catchphrases, such as “I am not regular” and “Inspiring Diddy since 2017,” endeared him to his fans even more.
In September 2024, Speedy caused a stir by suggesting Burna Boy did something wrong to get his Grammy for Twice As Tall in 2021.
This upset Burna Boy, who filed a complaint for defamation and cyberstalking. As a result, Speed was arrested in Lagos in October 2024.
He spent five days in jail before being moved to Abuja. A lawyer named Deji Adeyanju helped him obtain bail. The legal issues continued into 2025. A court ordered his release in January, but the case remained ongoing.
Songs
- Let’s Dance (2010)
- Bangdadadang (2017)
- Akamu (2017)
- Cash & Carry (2018)
- Ogiriga Owuwa (2018)
- In Love With My Hand (feat. Zlatan) (2019)
- Popping Heavy
- My Girl
- Enigma (Freestyle)
- Bad Girl
- Greatest Tank Battle
- My Party
- Hustle Hard
- Adaier
- Saturday Night
- Baby Oil (2024)
Awards and Nominations
2023: African American Rapper of the Year, I-See Awards
Social Media
Instagram handle: @speeddarlintv
TikTok handle: @lifeandtimesofakpi
Personal Life
Speed Darlington is single and not married. He has shared his thoughts on relationships. He believes he can attract partners without money. He thinks his personality is enough.
He has shown admiration for Nigerian actresses like Tonto Dikeh and Nancy Isime. He also likes singer Tiwa Savage. He has a big crush on Tonto Dikeh.
He keeps details about his romantic life private. Some confusion exists about whether he is a father. In early 2025, some posts claimed he became a father at 16.
They said he has a daughter, but the mother is not his current girlfriend, Ermony Renee. However, trustworthy sources do not confirm these claims. In February 2025, He said on social media that he is no longer looking for a wife.
He feels tired of that search. Instead, he wants someone to have a child with. This suggests he does not have any children right now.
Net Worth
Speed Darlington is a talented musician and performer from Nigeria with a net worth of $500,000. He earns money from several sources, but the majority comes from selling albums, performing live, and securing endorsements.
FAQs
What is Speed Darlington’s real name?
His real name is Darlington Okoye.
What happened to Speed Darlington?
Burna Boy arrested Speed Darlington in Lagos in October 2024 for defamation and cyberstalking.
Is Theresa Onuorah the mother of Speed Darlington?
His mother, Queen Theresa Onuorah, is a well-known highlife musician who leads the Egedege Dance group.
